DELAND -- Laddie Rasi said he will not forget the little boy who approached him at a McDonald's as he waited to order. The boy "ran to me and hugged my leg and said, 'I love you Mr. Policeman,' " Rasi said, chuckling. "Thing is, I am not a policeman." But with a sharp uniform — black pants and a white shirt studded with a badge that reads Partners in Protection — Rasi, 67, looked very much like a policeman directing traffic at the scene of a recent two-vehicle wreck in DeLand. Rasi is a member of the Partners in Protection organization that works with the DeLand Police Department, providing invaluable assistance to sworn police officers, said DeLand police Deputy Chief Randel Henderson.

The group, also referred to as the PIP by police, has been in existence since 2006 and is selected from within the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. The 25-member group is trained in aspects of police work such as traffic control, traffic radar, directing traffic at vehicle crashes and working special events, Henderson said.

"The PIP is a unique organization to the city of DeLand," said Henderson. "It is similar to other law enforcement volunteer groups but we think we have a unique flavor in the way we truly promote partnership in the community."

The PIP enhances the partnership of police officers with the community in efforts to combat crime.

"The PIP has the emphasis in being partners," Henderson said. "They go into the community and speak with people and then share information they get with the department."

PIP volunteers, who patrol neighborhoods, help identify possible problems in the community so the police department can allocate resources where needed, Henderson said.

"They do quasi-police work because of their interest in police work," Henderson said. "They work very closely with the police department applying the philosophy of the department to help find solutions to make the community safer." The organization of volunteers -- which includes those still in careers such as teaching, retirees including those with military backgrounds, and others -- lend a big helping hand to sworn police officers and save the city money, Henderson said."The PIP is the group we call to assist sworn officers in really bad traffic accidents, traffic homicides and special events," Henderson said. "They were very successful in controlling the perimeter and traffic of vehicles and pedestrians when the plane went down into the Publix last year."

City Manager Michael Pleus said the PIP program is "invaluable" to the citizens of DeLand.

"It gives citizens an opportunity not only to make the community safer but the group saves taxpayers money because of the countless hours of volunteer service they give."

In December alone, the PIP worked 200 hours and year-to-date figures show they have volunteered more than 3,200 hours.

"If you were to estimate the service of one individually at the $14-an-hour wage, we probably are talking about $50,000," Pleus said. "But we save more than that because when we ask for PIP volunteers we get five, sometimes ten of them."

But besides saving the city money, being a PIP volunteer is fun, said Bonnie Kosiba, 69, who has been a member of the PIP since 2008. Kosiba, a retired caregiver, said the training prepared her in traffic detail, familiarized her with crime scene investigation and showed her how to help with the police department's Second Chance Kennel where she walks or bathes dogs.

"But the day at the range was the fun part," Kosiba said. "I had never fired a handgun before but I got to fire a couple. And that was fun."

The volunteers do not carry weapons but do get firearms training.

Kosiba said PIP volunteers are not policemen but "ambassadors of the police department that provide an extra set of eyes and ears" to make the city safer.

The city of DeLand provided the initial funding to get the organization started but the group incorporated and as a nonprofit organization, raises its own money to operate, Henderson said. "They have bake sales, hot dog sales and spaghetti dinners," Henderson said.

The group also gets donations from big businesses like Walmart, Henderson said.

The volunteers also help other organizations like Shriner's with the Clock-a-Cop event where children use a radar to clock the speed of motorcycle police officers who ride to make the experience fun for the children, Henderson said.

In simple words, Rasi explained how important volunteers are to police officers.

"It gives me something to do but as a volunteers we can free a cop to go catch a robber or a bad guy," Rasi said. "They appreciate that."

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